World Cup Tickets: Expectations are sky-high for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) heading into the FIFA World Cup 2026. As one of the tournament’s co-hosts, the pressure to deliver a strong performance is immense. The appointment of a high-profile coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has only amplified the optimism surrounding the team.
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With a talented roster and passionate fan base, the USMNT aims to capitalize on its home advantage. However, one significant question looms, should Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards be part of the squad. Richards’ inclusion has sparked debate, with former USMNT defender and current pundit Alexi Lalas expressing doubts about the 24-year-old’s reliability.
On his State of the Union podcast, Lalas criticized Richards’ lack of consistent game time and underwhelming performances in domestic competition. One of the most notable examples came in a recent 1-5 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League, where Richards struggled to make an impact. This match followed a 3-2 defeat to the same opponents in the EFL Cup quarterfinals, in which Richards remained on the bench.
FIFA World Cup Tickets: Pochettino’s Dilemma should Richards Make the Squad
It’s a mixed bag, Lalas said during the podcast. On one hand, Chris Richards is finally getting minutes on the field, but on the other, he’s getting completely outplayed. While acknowledging the tough circumstances under which Richards was called upon, Lalas did not hesitate to question the defender’s readiness for the international stage in the World Cup.
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I’ve said it before, my jury is still out on whether Richards is the future for the USMNT, Lalas continued. The center-back position has been a longstanding area of concern for this team, and I’m not convinced Richards is the solution. Lalas’ skepticism largely stems from Richards’ limited playing time at Crystal Palace. The former Bayern Munich prospect has made only seven Premier League appearances this season, supplemented by a few outings in the EFL Cup.
For Lalas, this lack of regular action is problematic. If he’s not playing consistently at the club level, it’s a concern, Lalas emphasized. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it does raise questions about his readiness for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Pochettino’s handling of Richards further complicates the situation. Despite being a key player for the USMNT in the 2024 Copa America.
World Cup Tickets: Richards’ Club Struggles and National Team Hopes
Where he started all three matches, Richards was not called up for the October international window against Panama and Mexico. He was left on the bench in more recent CONCACAF FIFA World Cup matches. These decisions suggest that Pochettino may also have reservations about Richards’ reliability. Critics like Lalas argue that excluding Richards might weaken the USMNT’s defensive options, given the current state of the center-back pool.
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Veterans Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman, aged 37 and 31 respectively, are among the most experienced players available, but their advancing years raise concerns about their durability by 2026. This leaves Richards and 25-year-old Mark McKenzie as the most viable younger options. While other center-backs are playing in Major League Soccer and across European leagues.
Richards’ familiarity with the national team setup could be an asset. Richards’ struggles at the club level are undeniable, but they do not necessarily reflect his potential contributions to the national team. His performances in international competitions, such as the Copa America and recent friendlies against Canada and New Zealand, suggest he can compete at a high level.
FIFA 2026 Tickets: Crystal Palace Woes Cloud Richards’ USA Football Team Future
However, inconsistency and limited opportunities at Crystal Palace have hindered his development. To secure his spot on the FIFA World Cup 2026 roster, Richards must find a way to earn more playing time and improve his performances domestically. The center-back position has long been a point of vulnerability for the USMNT, and the lack of depth is concerning.
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Ream and Zimmerman, while reliable in the past, cannot be expected to anchor the defense indefinitely. McKenzie has shown promise but remains unproven on the biggest stages. In this context, Richards’ potential upside makes him a compelling option, even if he has yet to fully convince skeptics like Lalas. Pochettino faces a challenging decision.
On one hand, Richards’ struggles at the club level raise legitimate concerns about his readiness for the Football World Cup. On the other hand, the lack of alternatives and Richards’ experience with the national team make him a valuable asset.
Football World Cup Tickets: Pochettino’s Squad-Building Challenge
Balancing these factors will be crucial as Pochettino builds a squad capable of competing against the world’s best teams. For Richards, the path forward is clear: he must seize every opportunity to prove himself, both at Crystal Palace and with the national team. Whether through improved performances in the Premier League or standout displays in international matches of the Football World Cup.
Richards needs to demonstrate that he belongs on the biggest stage. With the FIFA 2026 fast approaching, time is running out for him to solidify his place in the USMNT lineup. In the end, the debate over Richards underscores a broader issue for the USMNT, the need to develop and nurture talent in key positions.
As the team prepares to host the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament, finding solutions to long-standing flaws will be vital. Whether Richards can be part of that solution remains to be seen, but his journey will surely be one of the most closely watched plots top up to 2026. One of the most notable cases came in a new 1-5 loss to Arsenal in the Best Union, where Richards writhed to make an impact.
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